This is unpleasant business, but it is necessary business. Just as you can't field a Division I basketball team with players who are only 6 feet tall, we cannot stay competitive when the margin between our neighbors' tax rate and ours continues to grow. This is not a philosophical argument of liberal versus conservative or Republican versus Democrat but an economic reality.

A person can be much chagrined at what a president is doing, but to actually move to some other country is a daunting undertaking. Moving out of Memphis or Shelby County is much more manageable, and people are managing to do it daily. Look at our tax rate again: We have tried to spend more money than our neighbors, and it hasn't worked. Reduction is the only option left.